Kids .grow eqrn be-tter in pollu-tion-'free schools &EPA EPA910-N-11-001 January 2014 EPA Region 10 Healthy Schools Team Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Tribal Nations For details on grant and teacher award, please contact: Environmental Education contact for Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington Sally Hanft at hanft.sally@epa.gov or 206-553-1207 EPA's Environmental Education Grant Program Deadline: February 4, 2014 http://www2.epa.gov/education/environmental-education-ee-grants This grant program will fund environmental education projects that will serve as models of practice, methods and/or techniques that can be replicated in a variety of settings. Each recipient will be required to award exactly 25% of the funds received to eligible sub-recipients in the form of sub-grants of $5,000 or less. Award amounts are from $75,000 to $200,000 in federal funds. 2014 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators Deadline: February 28, 2014 Application: http://www2.epa.gov/education/presidential-innovation- award-environmental-educators NewsFlash Quick Review Grant Opportunities • EPA Environmental Education Grant Program • 2014 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educations Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments Webinars • Prevention of and Response to Mercury Spills in Schools • Understanding and Reducing Exposures to PCBs in Schools The Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators recognizes outstanding kindergarten through grade 12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning. Up to two teachers from each of EPA's 10 regions, from different states, will be selected. • Teacher awardees will receive a commemorative plaque and an award of $2,000 to be used to further the recipient's professional development in environmental education. • The teacher's local education agency will also receive an award of $2,000 to fund environmental educational activities and programs. Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments Webinars More than 1,500 school stakeholders across the country have participated in Sensible Steps webinars this year. Join your colleagues for this special, ongoing series! Designed to meet the needs of your entire school community Facility Managers Custodial Staff District Administrators Principals -School Nurses -Teachers - Support Staff -School Board Members Session #9 - Sensible Steps for Prevention of and Response to Mercury Spills in Schools January 22, 2014 3:00 PM EST Register Now ------- Elemental mercury is found in some thermometers, switches, and school science labs. Its unique properties make it appealing to handle, but mercury can make people sick. Mercury spills in schools are often caused by youth who are curious about mercury. Cleanup of large mercury spills can be costly and disruptive - resulting in unplanned early dismissals, and days to months of school closures. Join us for this webinar to: • Understand how to eliminate sources of mercury in your school and use safer alternatives • Learn about the student education materials available on the "Don't Mess with Mercury" website • Learn step-by-step what to do when mercury spills at school, and what to communicate after a spill • Hear firsthand "lessons learned" from a school official about a mercury spill in her school district Featured presenters: Sue Casteel, MS, Environmental Health Shelley R. Bengtson, Environmental Scientist, Health Educator Specialist ATSDR Region 4 Omaha Public Schools Register for this session today! You'll receive a certificate of completion for your participation in each webinar. Session #10 - Sensible Steps to Understanding and Reducing Exposures to PCBs in Schools February 18, 2014 3:00 PM EST Register Now PCBs, or Polychlorinated Biphenyls, are man-made chemicals that were banned from production in the U.S. in 1979. They were added to many products for their favorable flame-resistant, stability, plasticizer, and electrical insulation properties. Products containing PCBs may still be present in some school buildings built or renovated in the 1950s through the 1970s. PCBs are released from these products over time and can be found in the air, dust, soil, and on surfaces in and around schools, leading to potential exposures for children and staff. Cleaning and remedial steps can be taken to reduce levels in the school environment and exposures to building occupants. Join us for this webinar to learn: • What PCBs are and how people may be exposed in school buildings; • How to determine whether your school may have potentially PCB containing materials; • Approaches for assessing PCBs in the school environment and developing a remedial action plan for removal and/or cleanup of PCB-contaminated materials; • Best practices to limit exposures both short and long-term. Featured presenters: Mr. Kent Thomas, Scientist Ms. Kimberly Tisa, PCB Coordinator U.S. EPA National Exposure Research U.S. EPA Region 1 Laboratory in Research Triangle Park, NC Register for this session today! You'll receive a certificate of completion for your participation in each webinar. To learn more about the Sensible Steps Webinar series and view sessions on specific school environmental health topics: http://vosemite.epa.gov/R10/ecocomm.nsf/childrenshealth/sensible-steps-webinars • Subscribe to our mailing list to receive details and registration reminders for other Sensible Steps Webinars. • View the Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments guide. • Check out EPA's Healthy School Environments website Please share this message with your school environmental health colleagues and contacts! ------- |